Use of an enzyme for the manufacture of an agent for controlling bacterial infection

Abstract

Xylanase or a cellulase for the manufacture of an agent for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of bacterial infection in an animal caused by Salmonella, Campylobacter or Clostridium perfringens. It is preferred that xylanase is used in combination with wheat to form an animal feed. Such a diet is particularly effective in controlling Campylobacter and Salmonella in chickens. The use provided by the present invention affords an alternative to antibiotics when controlling bacterial infection in animals. This leads to considerable health, environmental and economic benefits.

1 . A method for treatment of a bacterial infection in chickens having bacterial infection in the absence of therapeutic or prophylactic amounts of antimicrobial drugs, the bacterial infection caused by bacteria selected from the group consisting of  Salmonella, Campylobacter, Clostridium perfringens,  and mixtures thereof, the method comprising: 
 feeding the chickens a diet comprising a feed including a cellulase and at least about 25% by weight of a cereal selected from the group consisting of wheat, maize, rye, barley, oats, triticale, rice, sorghum and mixtures thereof, the diet being effective for treatment of bacterial infection in the chickens caused by bacteria selected from the group consisting of  Salmonella, Campylobacter, Clostridium perfringens,  and mixtures thereof, and the cellulase being present in an amount effective for treatment of the bacterial infection in the absence of an antimicrobial drug or in the presence of an antimicrobial drug at a concentration that in the absence of the cellulase is not effective for treatment of bacterial infection in chickens caused by bacteria selected from the group consisting of  Salmonella, Campylobacter, Clostridium perfringens,  and mixtures thereof, and the diet not containing an antimicrobial drug or containing an antimicrobial drug at a concentration that is not effective in the absence of the cellulase for treatment of bacterial infection in chickens caused by bacteria selected from the group consisting of  Salmonella, Campylobacter, Clostridium perfringens,  and mixtures thereof.    
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the cellulase is fed to the chickens in an amount of about 0.0001 to about 10 grams of cellulase per kg of the feed.  
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the cellulase is fed to the chickens in an amount of about 0.001 to about 1 gram of cellulase per kg of the feed.  
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the cellulase is fed to the chickens in an amount of about 0.01 to about 0.1 gram of cellulase per kg of the feed.  
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the cereal is wheat.  
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the cellulase is β-glucanase.  
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 6  wherein the cereal comprises wheat.  
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the diet is fed to the chickens without a withdrawal period prior to slaughtering of the chickens.  
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said diet does not contain an antimicrobial drug.  
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said diet contains an antimicrobial drug at a concentration that is not effective for treatment and/or prophylaxis of bacterial infection in chickens caused by bacteria selected from the group consisting of  Salmonella, Campylobacter, Clostridium perfringens,  and mixtures thereof in the absence of the cellulase.  
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 8  wherein said diet does not contain an antimicrobial drug.  
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 8  wherein said diet contains an antimicrobial drug at a concentration that is not effective for treatment and/or prophylaxis of bacterial infection in chickens caused by bacteria selected from the group consisting of  Salmonella, Campylobacter, Clostridium perfringens,  and mixtures thereof in the absence of the cellulase.  
   
   
       13 . A method for treating a bacterial infection in a chicken caused by bacteria selected from the group consisting of  Salmonella, Campylobacter, Clostridium perfringens,  and mixtures thereof, the method comprising: 
 feeding the chicken an animal feed which comprises a cellulase and at least about 25% by weight of a cereal selected from the group consisting of wheat, maize, rye, barley, oats, triticale, rice, sorghum and mixtures thereof, the cellulase being included in the animal feed in an amount effective for treating the bacterial infection.    
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 13  wherein the cereal comprises wheat.  
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 13  wherein the cellulase is β-glucanase.  
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 15  wherein the cereal comprises wheat.